Odisha Honoured as Best State for Agriculture at National Leadership Conclave

Bhubaneswar/New Delhi: Odisha has been conferred with the prestigious Agriculture Leadership Award as the Best State for Agriculture by the Agriculture Today Group, a leading national media organisation in the agri-sector. The award was presented at the 16th Agriculture Leadership Conclave held in New Delhi, acknowledging Odisha’s transformative strides in agricultural growth, innovation, and inclusive development.

The award was received by Deputy Chief Minister and Minister of Agriculture & Farmers’ Empowerment and Energy, Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, in a ceremony attended by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Piyush Goyal, former Chief Justice of India and Chairman of the Award Committee Justice P. Sathasivam, and several other dignitaries from India and abroad.

Expressing gratitude upon receiving the award, Singh Deo stated that the recognition is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the farmers of Odisha. He described the honour as a validation of the state’s commitment to making Odisha a national model in sustainable and inclusive agricultural development. He dedicated the award to the annadatas of the state and thanked the Agriculture Today Group for acknowledging Odisha’s efforts.

Odisha’s agriculture sector has emerged as a major contributor to the state’s economy, with agriculture and allied sectors accounting for about 19 percent of the Gross State Value Added (GSVA) in the financial year 2024-25. The sector has witnessed a growth rate of 3.3 percent, surpassing the national average for the last five years. Employing nearly 49 percent of the state’s workforce, agriculture remains the largest source of livelihood in Odisha.

The state’s achievements are a result of forward-looking policy measures, sustained investments in rural infrastructure, and promotion of climate-resilient and diversified farming practices. In 2023-24, Odisha produced 115.39 lakh metric tonnes of rice, equivalent to 174.83 lakh metric tonnes of paddy, making it the fourth-largest rice supplier to the Food Corporation of India.

Odisha has also taken significant steps to modernise agriculture through mechanisation, technology adoption, and farmer training. The state registered the highest sale of tractors in the country last year, with farm power input reaching 2.60 kilowatts per hectare in 2024-25. The government has set a target of increasing it to 3.5 kilowatts per hectare by 2036.

In the horticulture sector, Odisha exported 121.82 metric tonnes of produce including dragon fruit, cashew, mango, and vegetables to several international markets such as the UAE, Qatar, the UK, Ireland, France, Italy, Sweden, Belgium, Poland, and Germany via Biju Patnaik International Airport in Bhubaneswar and Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose International Airport in Kolkata.

The state has achieved notable rankings in crop production across the country. Odisha ranks first in sweet potato and paddy straw mushroom production, second in overall fruit production as well as in crops like brinjal and cabbage, third in cashew nut, and fifth in crops such as watermelon, cauliflower, okra, tomato, lemon, and coconut.

These achievements have been made possible by the state’s consistent focus on value chain development, food security, and improving rural incomes. The government’s holistic approach to agriculture has significantly enhanced productivity and resilience while empowering farmers across regions.

The conclave was also graced by Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Human Resource Development Jayanta Choudhury, Chief Minister of Haryana Nayab Singh Saini, and former Chief Justice of India Justice P. Sathasivam. International delegates from countries including the Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil, and Canada, along with stakeholders from the corporate sector, education, health, banking, farm machinery, and research institutions, also participated in the event.